Generations 1912 - Vintage Sterling Silver Garnet & White Sapphire Dangly Earrings (VE413)

Generations 1912 - Vintage Sterling Silver Garnet & White Sapphire Dangly Earrings. These lovely earrings are crafted from sterling silver, hallmarked 925 for sterling. The earrings feature two natural hessonite garnets, 18 natural spessartine garnets, 12 natural white sapphire gemstones, Edwardian revival styling, and quality craftsmanship. The gallery on these earrings are expertly claw-set with beautiful garnets, and white sapphires, which are surrounded by a solid filigree silver frame. The central garnet is a hessonite garnet, which displays a beautiful warm orange color. The garnet surround are spessartine garnets, which display a stunning rich reddish/orange color. The earrings feature a secure french lever back for pierced ears. These gorgeous earrings look stunning when worn, and are versatile enough for casual or formal wear. 

Comments: High quality hand-crafted piece, which feature natural exotic gemstones. 

History: The history of garnet dates back to the Bronze Age, more than 5000 years ago. Its name, which has been used since these ancient times, was derived from the Latin word granatium, which means pomegranate (because the small, red crystals were thought to resemble pomegranate seeds).

The name hessonite comes from the ancient Greek word esson, meaning inferior, because of the stone's low density and hardness, compared to other kinds of garnet. Hessonite has been prized for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the stone in jewelry, and for cameo and intaglio pieces.

Spessartine is the manganese-rich member of the garnet family and is typically colored yellowish to reddish orange. Spessartine gems can be quite beautiful, but they are not commonly seen in jewelry because the supplies are limited. The major sources for gem quality spessartine are Sri Lanka and Brazil.

The Ancient Greeks discovered white sapphire on the island of Naxos and associated it with Apollo, god of light and sun. Since Apollo was also the god of prophecies, according to legend white Sapphires were offered as a gift to Pythia the priestess of prophecies.

Silver was discovered after gold and copper about 4000 bce, when it was used in jewelry and as a medium of exchange. The earliest known workings of significant size were those of the pre-Hittites of Cappadocia in eastern Anatolia.

The term sterling silver denotes any silver alloy in which pure silver makes up at least 92.5 percent of the content. One theory is that the word sterling comes from the name Easterlings—coiners from east German states brought to England during the reign of Henry II (1154–89) to improve the quality of the coinage.

Generations 1912 has the look of a bygone age. Ranging from Victorian era influence through the periods of Art Deco and Art Nouveau to the 1940s, this collection creates new traditions that can be passed for generations. Each item in the collection is an exquisite piece of fine jewellery, with exotic genuine gemstones and diamonds. Manufactured in the United States, every piece features engravings and mil-grain work all crafted by hand at Weinman Brothers in New York City.

Measurements: Earrings 40.00 mm x 17.00 mm 

Stone Size: Hessonite Garnet 1.20 carats    Spessartine Garnet .90 carats    White Sapphire .36 carats 

Weight: 8.70 grams 

Condition: Excellent 

Origin: America, New York

Date: Circa 1990